3921.04
Representative form of government.

For purposes of section
3921.02 of the Revised Code, a
fraternal benefit society has a representative form of government if all of the
following apply:

(A)
The society has
a supreme governing body constituted in either of the following ways:

(1)
As an assembly composed of delegates
elected directly by the members or at intermediate assemblies or conventions of
members or their representatives, together with other delegates as may be
prescribed by the society's laws. A society may provide for election of
delegates by mail. The elected delegates shall constitute a majority in number,
and shall not have less than a majority of the votes and not less than the
number of votes required to amend the society's laws. The assembly shall be
elected and shall meet at least once every four years, and shall elect a board
of directors to conduct the business of the society between meetings of the
assembly. Vacancies on the board occurring between elections shall be filled in
the manner prescribed by the society's laws.

(2)
As a board composed of persons elected by
the members, either directly or by their representatives in intermediate
assemblies, and any other persons prescribed by the society's laws. A society
may provide for election of the board by mail. Persons elected to the board
shall constitute a majority in number and not less than the number of votes
required to amend the society's laws. Terms of office shall not exceed four
years. The board shall meet at least quarterly to conduct the business of the
society.

Vacancies on the board occurring between elections shall be
filled in the manner prescribed by the society's laws. A person filling the
unexpired term of an elected board member shall be considered an elected
member.

(B)
The
officers of the society are elected by the supreme governing body or the board
of directors.

(C)
Only benefit
members are eligible for election to the supreme governing body, the board of
directors, or any intermediate assembly.

(D)
Each voting member has one vote, and no
vote may be cast by proxy.